Courtney Bowles: Fort Collins teacher busted naked with student getting national exposure

The most common reaction to student-sex-abuse reports about the likes of Travis Masse and other men featured in our collection of 2010 accused teachers and caretakers mug shots is revulsion. But when an attractive female teacher is similarly targeted, the response is far different. Which explains why the story of Mountain View High School's Courtney Bowles is going national. Local media outfits have been covering the story since the Loveland Police Department issued a release on the incident, on view below — and interest picked up as more information emerged. According to an affidavit quoted by sources such as 7News and the Fort Collins Coloradoan, police found Bowles in a car on top of a male student who initially claimed to have been twenty-years old, although his school ID told a different story. They were both naked, with Bowles in the top position accompanied by a bottle of vodka — although she insisted to cops that her teenage companion only had a sip.

That's the kind of info guaranteed to fire up audiences nationwide. No wonder Bowles's bust has been picked up by CBS News, the New York Daily News and websites such as BadBadTeacher.com, which managed to track down a more formal portrait of Bowles seen here.

By the way, the first comment on the BadBadTeacher.com post reads: "Hell, I'd hit it. Too bad they don't show a body shot of her because she is SMOKIN' HOT!"

Those two lines succinctly spell out the double standard when it comes to male and female teachers accused of sex with students.

Bowles, by the way, has not been charged at this writing — and she was released from jail yesterday on a $50,000 bond. However, a judge has forbidden her to have contact with anyone under age eighteen. She's due back in court next Monday, at a session you can bet will be well attended by members of the press.

Possibly including some out-of-towners.

Here's the original Loveland Police Department release:

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Sex Assault

LOCATION: 2800 N. Taft Ave (North Lake Park)

DATE: 01/21/2011

TIME: 10:41 p.m.

INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Det. Gerardo Cortina

SUPERVISOR: Sgt. Bob Rabson

DETAILS: On 01/21/2011 at 10:40 pm, a Loveland Police Officer contacted a vehicle at North Lake Park for being in the park after it closed. The vehicle was occupied by two people, a 31 year old female and a juvenile male.

The female was subsequently arrested for Sex Assault, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and Sex Assault on a child in a position of trust — all of which are class 4 felonies. The initial investigation suggests this was an isolated incident with no indication of any other victims.

The female was identified as Courtney Bowles, a 31 year old Fort Collins resident, who is an Instructional Coach for Mountain View High School.

Notification of the arrest has been made to the Thompson School District.

Bowles was transported to the Larimer County Detention Center on the charges. Loveland Police will meet with the Larimer County District Attorney's Office next week for the filing of formal charges.

*The criminal charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.

More from our Colorado Crimes archive: "Alex Tinsley: Longmont teacher allegedly wanted to help student join Mile High Club."